The men of Israel and Judah: the distinction between Israel and Judah reflects the later division of the united kingdom into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah following the death of Solomon. But the text must be translated as it stands.

Shout: It is uncertain whether this was a shout of mutual encouragement or was intended to frighten the enemy soldiers. Possibly it served both purposes. But in those languages that have a special word for a battle cry, it will probably be appropriate to use it here.

Rose: see the comments on this verb in 9.3.

Gath (see the comments on verse 4) was located about fifteen kilometers (or about nine miles) southwest of Azekah (see verse 1). The footnotes in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation are not in disagreement, since the Hebrew word “Gai” means “valley.” The Septuagint reads “Gath,” and that is the basis for most modern translations (Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, and New International Version). The statement at the end of the verse, that the Philistines fell … as far as Gath and Ekron, seems to support the reading of the Septuagint.

If translators choose to follow the Masoretic Text, they may render “Gai” as a place name, or follow the example of translations that say “all the way to the edge of the valley” (so La Bible du Semeur, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Nouvelle version Segond révisée, Reina-Valera revisada, and Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente). Since there is no definite article, it seems more likely that the reference is to a place named Gai. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives a {C} rating to the Masoretic Text and recommends that the Hebrew be translated as the name “Gai.” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, which so faithfully follows the Masoretic Text, translates “all the way to Gai,” but then states in a footnote that the Septuagint has “Gath” and directs the reader to the end of this verse, where the Masoretic Text has Gath.

The Hebrew says simply that the wounded Philistines fell, and it is not clear whether they “fell wounded” (Good News Translation) or whether they fell dead. New International Version reads “Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron,” and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible and Bible en français courant say “their cadavers [meaning, dead bodies].” The second meaning seems more likely in the context, but either is possible.

Ekron was a little more than ten kilometers (more than six miles) northwest of Azekah. The Septuagint has Ashkelon instead of Ekron at the first occurrence of this name in this verse, but the Masoretic Text is generally thought to be correct here. Compare 5.10 and 7.14, where Ekron is also mentioned.

Sha-araim: a city located in the lowlands of Judah, near Socoh and Azekah (verse 1 above; these three cities are mentioned together in Josh 15.35-36). The name occurs three times in the Old Testament and means “double gate.” Nueva Biblia Española translates the meaning of this name as “Dospuertas,” that is, “Two-gates,” and Fox says “Shaarayim/Double-Gate.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .